Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons

These are the Technical Instructions for Medical Examination of Aliens used by the Civil Surgeons in the medical examinations conducted in the United States.

On October 6, 2008, HHS/CDC posted an Interim Final Rule (IFR) regarding regulations that establish requirements for the medical examination of aliens. The IFR does not currently affect the required medical examination performed by civil surgeons. Civil surgeons should continue to follow the procedures outlined in the current Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons.

Updates for Civil Surgeons

Effective January 1, 2013, the 2013 Technical Instructions for Syphilis and Hansen’s Diseasereplace the 1991 Technical Instructions for these components. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions for the 2013 Technical Instructions for Syphilis and Hansen’s Disease.
Guidance based on 2010 Recommendations for the Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccine.
On January 4, 2010, HIV infection was removed from the list of inadmissible conditions for immigration purposes and from the scope of the immigrant medical examination. See Guidance for HIV for Civil Surgeons.
Guidance for Option of Using Interferon Gamma Release Assay in Place of Tuberculin Skin Test for Civil Surgeons.